The Student Assistance Prevention Counseling program provides an umbrella of comprehensive prevention and early intervention programs including services for positive youth development.

SAPC incorporates research-based strategies that increase protective factors and move toward reducing known risk factors. Addressing these factors has been demonstrated to improve the efficacy and efficiency of substance abuse prevention approaches.

SAPC professionals develop ongoing, year-round relationships with students, parents or guardians, and schools through its Prevention Counseling component. 		 
SAPC: Helping youth gain the functional skills they need to make healthy decisions through individual counseling.


Helps schools to identify individual students who need information and support
Assists in determining the nature of the problem through confidential communications
Involves family members, school personnel and other persons important in the student's life
Refers the student and his or her family to appropriate community support services
Provides a continuum of ongoing support
SAPC is consistent with the Principles of Effectiveness and the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.

    


Any students from K through 12 are eligible to receive SAPC services for education, support and referral for problems associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. These problems may stem from their own abuse, or from misuse by other people in their lives.

While its focus is on the effects of substance abuse, SAPC also addresses a variety of other issues confronting young people today, including maladaptive social or emotional behaviors, low or falling grades, poor attendance and suspension. SAPC designs its programs for the needs of each participating school. It strives to supplement and reinforce programs and services already in place in schools.


Although most of SAPC's work is conducted on an individual, one-to-one basis, SAPC will organize and facilitate groups where students can explore the issues and problems they face every day. Groups are tailored to fit the particular needs of each school environment. The content provides essential information to enhance insight and increase awareness, empowering students to make healthy life decisions. Topics may include relationships, stress/anger management, social skills, violence prevention, family issues, and relapse prevention.		    


o Early intervention
o Presentations for classrooms and parent/community groups
o Inservice staff training & seminars
o Workshops
o Home visits



Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Inc. is committed to building safe, healthy and resilient communities free from alcohol and other drug abuse. ECCPASA is a proven provider of quality prevention and intervention services utilizing research-based strategies and programs.

The Reconnecting Youth Program and the Strengthening Families Program have been cited as "Exemplary Programs" by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. ECCPASA's Student Assistance Prevention Counseling (SAPC) Program meets the standards for the Federal "Principles of Effectiveness," and is an approved budgetary expenditure of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA) funding and the New York State Youth-At-Risk Program. ECCPASA is an Affiliate Member of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) and the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA). ECCPASA is a Member Agency of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

ECCPASA
Student Assistance Prevention Counseling Services
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eccpasa@eccpasa.info
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